Here is some information you might find helpful:
(Francois–do not access these sites!)
http://homepage.mac.com/mikekichler/iMovieTheater23.html
http://homepage.mac.com/mikekichler/iMovieTheater25.html
And here is a narrative a ST’er sent me (I can’t remember who it was, so I can’t give him the credit he deserves for this fine reconnaisance):
BIKE: I haven’t really ridden it yet with real intent to see what I can get, I just think it is too early for me right now. I have been just cruising and really checking out the lay of the land and trying to get familiar with all the nuances of the road. Both of my rides have been (1st time really easy, 2nd time (different day) a little harder) 13 miles to the race venue (city surface streets), the full 56 mile loop, and home again. Soon I will do the loop twice in a row to see how the second time goes. Yes, I have an Ergomo, was without it all summer so I am getting accustomed to my average wattages again. After the 1st time, avg watts 196 (norm), avg speed 17mph. Second time, 228 avg watts (norm), 19mph avg. Again, 26 miles of the ride were just easy riding along. Oh, to answer your question, yes you do get speed back on the backside. I think if you ride it right, you can even make up some time on the same strectch going toward Tempe. Winds will be a big factor because they seem to shift, that will affect your downhill speeds some but even with what felt to be a slight headwind on the downhill section, 22mph is certainly possible.
IMAZ: 2100 feet each loop… Pretty much one gradual climb on the way out, then all
downhill coming back
RUN: The first section (.4mi) out and back is on concrete and flat. After that concrete as you head east along the river path. After you go under the Mill bridge, the path turns to hard packed pea gravel and continues all the way to the Rural Road bridge. A small concrete hill up to the bridge and then up and over the river. Now on the north side of the river and heading west, concrete path all the way until a hill to another gravel path. There is a steepish downhill with some loose gravel here so footing can be tricky if something is not modified here. Now you are heading east again on hardpack gravel along a small canal. When you get to College ave. you are again on pavement/concrete and it is a slight incline for probably two miles. This will not be easy! A few turns on the road get you back to the canal and the whole out and back on the canal is hardpack gravel again. Repeat at the turn around and the hard incline section is now downhill in your favor until the river path where is flattens out again (concrete). All in all, I think it is rather technical, no real long boring stretches of concrete, and rather slowish gravel for approx 40% of each loop. Nice views (if you care) and you may want to be prepared if you are a slower IM’er as it will be very dark in many spots at night time. Be prepared.
I ran one loop of the Ironman course and my GPS reports the following stats:
1 loop elevation gain 900ft
11.8 miles (had to detour due to Octoberfest and construction)
3.02 miles of flat ground
4.08 miles of incline / decline
SWIM: Don’t worry about the swim. It is not really a river, a few years ago it was just a dry river bed that only flowed when it rained. Each end is now dammed and filled with water to form a “lake”. The water is murky, not muddy, has no real taste and is usually calm. I have never seen waves, just chop on windy days. Sorry, I don’t have a digital camera. You can see a video that shows that lake at <http://www.tempe.gov/rio/>, click on videos and choose the “water activities” video. The bridge you see with the people on top about half way throught the video is the Mill Ave bridge and it will be loaded with spectators as we swim underneath it! It should be great!
